A&E Caves: Duck Dynasty's Phil and family reunited.

[Pooky 3,782]

If you look at it from his point of view, he was as adamant about being right about the gay stuff as he was in his comments about blacks.

Whereas the less-aware may agree with his point in homosexuality, you would he hard pressed to find anyone with the most basic knowledge of the history of our country who might agree with his rant about blacks.

Again, your comprehension of what was written is lacking. What the beardy weirdy recounted were his observations. His first-hand observations. Whether he truly did not see the effects of the laws of the day on the minorities, or whether he is glossing over the truth, is between him and his god. But he made no mention of the righteousness of those laws. That is a faux controversy being fostered in an attempt to further vilify, somewhat unjustly, the man and his views.

[Danno 1,228]

Again, your comprehension of what was written is lacking. What the beardy weirdy recounted were his observations. His first-hand observations. Whether he truly did not see the effects of the laws of the day on the minorities, or whether he is glossing over the truth, is between him and his god. But he made no mention of the righteousness of those laws. That is a faux controversy being fostered in an attempt to further vilify, somewhat unjustly, the man and his views.

Yeah, this is trying to call in the race-card when Glaads position is not enough to get the job done.

Not only are they insisting Phil abandon what the Christian faith (as well as Western society) has always believed about sexual relations..... they are even insisting that he submit to their version of what he personally experienced growing up.

*America* is being syphened out of this country and a lot of people, can't even see it.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Again, your comprehension of what was written is lacking. What the beardy weirdy recounted were his observations. His first-hand observations. Whether he truly did not see the effects of the laws of the day on the minorities, or whether he is glossing over the truth, is between him and his god. But he made no mention of the righteousness of those laws. That is a faux controversy being fostered in an attempt to further vilify, somewhat unjustly, the man and his views.

It is not my comprehension, so much as your knowledge of American history that is falling way short in this instance. At any rate it is really immaterial.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Yeah, this is trying to call in the race-card when Glaads position is not enough to get the job done.

Not only are they insisting Phil abandon what the Christian faith (as well as Western society) has always believed about sexual relations..... they are even insisting that he submit to their version of what he personally experienced growing up.

*America* is being syphened out of this country and a lot of people, can't even see it.

Many of his ilk experienced, embraced and acquiesced to statutory discrimination as did many ersatz christian churches, in the South. It was not christian then and it is not christian now. Just because someone thumps apocryphal texts while spewing bigotry and ignorance does not make it real christian. It is really not that complicated.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Gegel

[Danno 1,228]

Many of his ilk experienced, embraced and acquiesced to statutory discrimination as did many ersatz christian churches, in the South. It was not christian then and it is not christian now. Just because someone thumps apocryphal texts while spewing bigotry and ignorance does not make it real christian. It is really not that complicated.

English only in the forum.

[JohnR! 5,495]

English only in the forum.

It wasn't a question, really.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

It is not my comprehension, so much as your knowledge of American history that is falling way short in this instance. At any rate it is really immaterial.

You were dead wrong on this particular topic beginning to end - its OK to admit it... The family did not apologize. They did in fact, in that same paragraph the article took your previous quote from, threaten to quit the show without him. How you can read that paragraph and get out what you did would make priests interpreting the bible blush with envy.

A&E Caved - not a little but hard core.. That's what happened. The execs handled it poorly, made decisions without thinking it through, and put themselves in a lose-lose situation.

--

Here is what the family actually said:

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E's decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right. We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family

[Peikko 1,575]

I still don't get why people care so much about it. The guys a ####### and the show is stupid, so what? His views carry no weight and no one cares outside of this tiny segment of the viewing populous that can't get through their day without the show. The show's creators can decide whatever they like, the issue was always about whether the comments reflected badly on the station and whether that would or wouldn't affect revenue. Turns out, they've decided they prefer to keep the show at this point but the show does not have an infinite shelf life. Even diehard duck decoy fans are going to get fed up with it soon enough and they will move onto something else equally ridiculous and pointless. This doesn't tell us anything about anything.

[Darnell 8,478]

Danno - there's also the assumption (right or wrong) that the Nascar Demographic is the same as the Duck Dynasty Demographic.

And NO ONE F*CKS with the Nascar demographic and lives to tell about it.

Yay Nascar!

All Hail Duck Dynasty !

D

[/size]

Danno was right again.

While it is a stinging defeat for the Gay Lobby, it is a [/size]victory for anyone who values freedom.

--------------------------------------------------

A&E Welcomes Phil Robertson Back to 'Duck Dynasty'

Less than two weeks after his anti-gay remarks prompted an "indefinite hiatus" for the reality patriarch and a strong fan backlash the network says he will remain on the series.

Phil Robertson, the patriarch of A&E's Duck Dynasty clan who was suspended from his hit reality series on Dec. 18 following some incendiary comments about gay people, won't be put on hiatus after all.

The network and the Robertson family announced Friday that Phil will still be part of the series -- and since he didn't miss any filming, his temporary suspension will have no effect on the upcoming fifth season.

An A&E statement to The Hollywood Reporter read:

As a global media content company, A+E Networks' core values are centered around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. We believe it is a privilege for our brands to be invited into peoples home and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principals.

That is why we reacted so quickly and strongly to a recent interview with Phil Robertson. While Phils comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the coarse language he used and the mis-interpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would never incite or encourage hate. We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article, and reiterate that they are not views we hold.

But Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man's views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family a family that America has come to love. As you might have seen in many episodes, they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about.

So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family.

We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in Duck Dynasty. These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio.

In addition, an A&E source says the family and the network are going to work together to promote tolerance moving forward.

Robertson's comments in GQ magazine, which included the 67-year-old likening homosexuality to "bestiality," prompted an almost immediate announcement from A&E.

PHOTOS: 'Duck Dynasty,' Matthew McConaughey, 'Breaking Bad' and THR's Rule Breakers of 2013

"We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson's comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty," read a network statement at the time. "His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely."

A&E's swift reaction to the comments, praised by some, prompted objections from many fans of the show. Prior to his reinstatement, a petition started by Christian fans gathered north of 200,000 signatures demanding he be put back on the series. Robertson and the rest of his family have stood by the controversial comments that prompted the media furor, putting the future of A&E's top-rated series in question.

On Sunday, Robertson delivered a sermon at his West Monroe, La., church. "I will not give or back off from my path," he told the crowd -- though he did seem to soften a bit, adding "I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater."

The political fallout has also been significant. Following initial calls to action from GLAAD, people from both side of the political spectrum have weighed in on Robertson's comments and suspension. It's been a popular topic of debate on Fox News, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was among the first to come to Robertson's defense.

PHOTOS: 'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson and Other Stars Who've Made Anti-Gay Remarks

The Robertsons' somewhat vague initial reaction to Phil's removal -- "we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm" -- prompted many to suggest that the cast would not continue filming. But the Robertsons also recently re-signed to stay onboard A&E's top-rated series. After settling a months-long salary standoff in August, A&E signed the entire Robertson clan to a multiyear deal worth more than $200,000 per episode.

For its part, A&E did little else in the wake of Robertson's comments than the initial suspension. Encores of the series have continued to air, including a marathon on Christmas Day, and canceling or delaying the Jan. 15 season-five premiere never seemed to be on the table.

Duck Dynasty is a huge asset for A&E. In addition to being the top-rated reality program on cable, second across all of cable to only The Walking Dead with an average 13.4 million viewers and 7.6 million adults 18-49 in live-plus-7 ratings, Duck Dynasty has multiple brand tie-ins. Duck Dynasty gear is available in retailers across the U.S., including Walmart, Sears and Cracker Barrel restaurants.

The entire Robertson family has been on hiatus for duck hunting season, a contractual stipulation, which continues through Jan. 26 in their native Louisiana.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/a-e-welcomes-phil-robertson-667647

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Danno - there's also the assumption (right or wrong) that the Nascar Demographic is the same as the Duck Dynasty Demographic.

And NO ONE F*CKS with the Nascar demographic and lives to tell about it.

Yay Nascar!

All Hail Duck Dynasty !

So hicks, rednecks and hillbillies make up the audience for the show. Got it.

Oh, Toby Keith just f*cked with that demographic and I think he'll do just fine.

[Darnell 8,478]

Glad you got it ! I know it's difficult sometimes, to get other cultural strata information into yer neck of Tampa.

Still, I'm proud of you, for getting it.

Edited December 29, 2013 by Darnell

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Duck Dynasty is the new Dog the Bounty Hunter. That show was tosh as well.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Duck Dynasty is the new Dog the Bounty Hunter. That show was tosh as well.

It will be interesting to see for how much longer the show will air. A&E may just have played the motley crew by suspending their newly appointed messiah long enough to create some buzz and get their renewed viewership and hard earned money. What a coup it might have been... On a positive note, some Hollywood executives may have doubled their year-end bonus.

However, I am sure that a mega-million dollar studio acted precipitously... They have nothing on the VJ crowd who has them pegged from the get go. What does A&E know of show biz anyway?

I believe in the business it is called the 'Heather Locklear' effect.

[Protocol417 161]

I'm still trying to figure out where all this "liberal outrage" is. I didn't even know about this story until conservatives started unfriending people on Facebook over it and almost every liberal here has said they really couldn't care less.

[Pooky 3,782]

It is not my comprehension, so much as your knowledge of American history that is falling way short in this instance. At any rate it is really immaterial.

Sorry to disappoint you, but my knowledge of American history, though quite extensive, is immaterial to this discussion, as the beardy weirdly never tried to reinterpret history. What he did was recount his personal, first-hand observations.

Therefore, I'm afraid to say, it most certainly is your comprehension that is lacking here. Either that, or you never read what he said in the first place and so are commenting without understanding all of the pertinent information.